Out-of-Band Monitoring and Provisioning

ABSTRACT

A method is disclosed for out-of-band data communication with a base station in a wireless network, the method comprising: determining, at a base station in a cellular access network, the base station configured to use a coordination server and to a first core network for providing network access to user equipments (UEs), an occurrence of an event regarding a communication problem related to the base station; sending an out-of-band message, via an embedded UE module coupled to the base station attached to a second core network, to the coordination server, based on the occurrence of the event at the base station; updating, at the coordination server, a stored status for the base station, thereby enabling a status of the base station to be updated at the coordination server via an out-of-band message.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/279,601, filed Feb. 19, 2019, which claims the benefit of priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/631,595, entitled“Out-of-Band Monitoring and Provisioning,” filed on Feb. 16, 2018, whichare each hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. In addition,this application incorporates the following applications by reference intheir entirety: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/889,631, entitled“Heterogeneous Mesh Network and a Multi-RAT Node Used Therein,” filed onMay 8, 2013; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/034,915, entitled“Dynamic Multi-Access Wireless Network Virtualization,” filed on Sep.23, 2013; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/183,176, entitled “Methodsof Incorporating an Ad Hoc Cellular Network into a Fixed CellularNetwork,” filed Feb. 18, 2014; U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/024,717, entitled “Heterogeneous Self-Organizing Network for Accessand Backhaul,” and filed on Sep. 12, 2013; U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/146,857, entitled “Heterogeneous Self-Organizing Network forAccess and Backhaul,” and filed on Jan. 3, 2014; U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/571,250, entitled “Virtualization of the Evolved Packet Coreto Create a Local EPC,” filed on Dec. 15, 2014; and; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/5923,392, entitled “Out-of-Band Power DownNotification,” filed on Oct. 26, 2015.

BACKGROUND

In a wireless network, a communications channel can become unavailablefor a variety of reasons. Examples of situations where a communicationschannel may become unavailable include a situation where power may goout unexpectedly, or where a connection may be damaged or lost. When adevice within a wireless network goes down, it can be difficult todetermine if there was a power failure or other failure that caused thedevice to go down.

SUMMARY

In a first embodiment, a method may be disclosed, comprising:determining, at a base station in a cellular access network, the basestation configured to use a coordination server and to a first corenetwork for providing network access to user equipments (UEs), anoccurrence of an event regarding a communication problem related to thebase station; sending an out-of-band message, via an embedded UE modulecoupled to the base station attached to a second core network, to thecoordination server, based on the occurrence of the event at the basestation; updating, at the coordination server, a stored status for thebase station, thereby enabling a status of the base station to beupdated at the coordination server via an out-of-band message.

The event may comprise at least one of a power out condition or aninterruption of a backhaul connection between the base station and thecoordination server. The out-of-band message may comprise a ShortMessage Service (SMS) message and the out-of-band message may be sentvia an SMS gateway in the second core network. The embedded UE modulemay be part of the base station or part of a backhaul deviceelectrically coupled to the base station. The base station may be an LTEor 5G base station and the out-of-band message may be a 2G short messageservice (SMS) message.

The method may further comprise performing, between the base station andthe coordination server, a secure handshake process via out-of-bandmessages. The method may further comprise using a hysteresis reportingwindow. The out-of-band message may be only sent once everypredetermined time period. The method may further comprise using a Wi-Finetwork to send the out-of-band message. The method may further compriseretransmitting, via out-of-band messages, data from an Internet ofThings (IoT) device. The method may further comprise, in response to theoccurrence of the event, instructing, via a second out-of-band message,the base station to enable a closed bubble network with a configurationpreviously stored at the base station. The method may further comprisesending out-of-band messages to the coordination server indicating atleast one of: tampering to the base station; software licensenoncompliance at the base station; loss of connectivity of other basestations coupled to the base station in a mesh network; sending aperiodic heartbeat message to the coordination server. The method mayfurther comprise, in response to the occurrence of the event, reportingconsiderations regarding reasons the base station may be inactive. Themethod may further comprise, in response to the occurrence of the event,diagnosing and fixing misconfigurations. The method may furthercomprise, in response to the occurrence of the event, performingprovisioning of identities of permitted connections.

In a second embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium is disclosed, the medium having computer-readable code thereonfor facilitating out-of-band monitoring and provisioning, the mediumincluding instructions executable by one or more processors to performoperations, the operations comprising: determining, at a base station ina cellular access network, the base station configured to use acoordination server and to a first core network for providing networkaccess to user equipments (UEs), an occurrence of an event regarding acommunication problem related to the base station; sending anout-of-band message, via an embedded UE module coupled to the basestation attached to a second core network, to the coordination server,based on the occurrence of the event at the base station; updating, atthe coordination server, a stored status for the base station, theinstructions thereby enabling a status of the base station to be updatedat the coordination server via an out-of-band message. The event maycomprise at least one of a power out condition related to the basestation or a lost connection between the base station and anotherdevice. The medium may include instructions for performing operations.The out-of-band message may comprise a Short Message Service (SMS)message.

In a third embodiment, a method for providing out-of-band monitoring andprovisioning includes determining, in a wireless system including aConverged Wireless System (CWS) in communication with a HetNet Gateway(HNG), a BackHaul Module (BHM) and a Small Message System (SMS) server,an occurrence of an event regarding a communication problem between theCWS and the HNG. The method further includes sending, by the BHM, an outof band message regarding the occurrence of the event to the HNG. Theevent may be at least one of a power out condition related to the CWS ora lost connection between the CWS and the HNG. The out of band messagecomprises an SMS message sent to the HNG by the BHM.

In a fourth embodiment, a system for providing out-of-band monitoringand provisioning includes a Converged Wireless System (CWS) incommunication with a HetNet Gateway (HNG), a BackHaul Module (BHM) and aSmall Message System (SMS) server. An event occurs regarding acommunication problem between the CWS and the HNG. In response to theevent, the BHM sends an out of band message regarding the occurrence ofthe event to the HNG. The event may be at least one of a power outcondition related to the CWS or a lost connection between the CWS andthe HNG. The out of band message comprises an SMS message sent to theHNG by the BHM.

In a fifth embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable storage mediumhaving computer readable code thereon for providing out-of-andprovisioning is described. The medium includes instructions executableby the processor to perform operations including determining anoccurrence of an event regarding a CWS and an HNG. The medium furtherincludes instructions for sending an out of band message regarding theoccurrence from a BHM in communication with a CWS to the HNG. The eventmay be at least one of a power out condition related to the CWS or alost connection between the CWS and the HNG. The out of band messagecomprises an SMS message sent to the HNG by the BHM.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless network architecture, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary base station, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a schematic architecture diagram of an exemplary gateway, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a further schematic diagram of a wireless networkarchitecture, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are a flowchart of an out-of-band notificationprocedure, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an example embodiment a wireless system includes a multi-RAT node(e.g., a Converged Wireless System (CWS)) in communication with a HetNetGateway (HNG), which is in communication with a core network. Themulti-RAT node may include or be in communication with a Back HaulModule (BHM). The BHM includes a Wi-Fi radio, a cellular radio and abattery.

A multi-Radio Access Technology (RAT) node delivers instant, reliableand cost-effective coverage anywhere and features 3G, 4G/LTE/5G andWi-Fi. The multi-RAT node may include built-in flexible backhaul: Fiber,Ethernet, LTE Backhaul, multi-radio mesh Software-Defined Networking(SDN) backhaul enabled by HetNet Gateway for enabling a mesh RAN. TheCWS leverages open APIs on HNG. The nodes are self-configured andself-managed via HNG and can be deployed easily. HNG-enabledorchestration provides hands-free maintenance of CWS base stations.

In a wireless network, the HetNet Gateway (Parallel Wireless HNG) nodelogically and physically sits between the multi-RAT node and EvolvedPacket Cores (EPCs). It orchestrates and concentrates thousands of basestations and presents itself as a single “base station” or base stationcontroller (in 2G: BSC, 3G: RNC, 4G: eNB) to the MNO packet core. TheParallel Wireless HNG virtualizes the radio network resources such asCWSs and backhaul and makes them self-configurable and self-adjustable.It acts as HeNBGW and vRAN/virtual eNB. It allows plug and playoperation of CWS nodes and mesh backhaul and allows them to form an adhoc network as the nodes come in to the network and leave. In a 3Gnetwork, the Parallel Wireless HNG provides the Home Node B Gateway andvirtual RNC functionality. For Wi-Fi, the Parallel Wireless HNG acts asa Wireless LAN Controller (WLC), Evolved Packet Data Gateway (ePDG) andTrusted Wireless Access Gateway (TWAG). These are all configurableoptions and one or the other can be configured based on an operator'srequirements. In some configurations Parallel Wireless HNG also acts asan EPC. The HetNet Gateway sits between the RAN and the core network,and as a result is in a position to provide proxying and virtualizationfor any-G and for any core or multiple cores, as well as being able toperform deep packet inspection and lawful intercept for data flowingthrough the network that would be encrypted if intercepted at adifferent point in the network.

The Parallel Wireless Converged Wireless System, otherwise known as theParallel Wireless base station or the Converged Wireless System (CWS)(TM), is a multi-RAT base station with LTE, Wi-Fi, and 3G technologiesthat provides a flexible outdoor and in-vehicle solution in conjunctionwith the Parallel Wireless HNG. The combined system is a cloud-basednetwork orchestration system that maximizes virtualization, andfunctions in a 3GPP standards-based Heterogeneous Network (HetNet) tobring 3G, Wi-Fi and 4G operators better technology at lower cost. TheParallel Wireless solution addresses key challenges in delivering 3G/4Gcoverage, capacity, and quality of service (QoS), regardless of the cellsize, e.g., femtocell, pico cell, micro cell, metro cell, or macro cell.The Parallel Wireless solution is also easy to deploy with automatedconfiguration and ongoing optimization. The CWS may also be referred toas eNodeB, NodeB, Home NodeB (HNB), Evolved-HNB (eHNB), base station,in-vehicle base station, etc. in this disclosure. In this disclosurewhere a base station is mentioned, depending on the context anin-vehicle base station or the Parallel Wireless CWS may also beunderstood to be identified, and the features thereof may be understoodto pertain to the described embodiment.

HNG is software platform that disaggregates hardware and softwarecreating a unified architecture across 2G/3G/4G/5G. This abstraction ofRadio Area Network (RAN) and core network functions on a COTS serverresults in heterogeneity across RAN and core enabling interop betweenall vendors and allowing to modernize networks or select best of breedfor future ones. The HNG provides real-time responsiveness to subscriberneeds through edge-centric architecture to deliver the best performancefor voice and data, outdoors or indoors, across 2G/3G/4G/5G to reducesubscriber churn.

A problem is as follows. Suppose we lose power. In traditional network,you could use a UPS, perform notification via SMS. But in ruraldeployments, there is a large number of outages. ˜1/week. This problemwill scale up massively as we roll out to more sites. OR suppose we havea fiber cut. When a CWS goes down, we can't tell whether it is power orbackhaul. HNG sees it but we don't get service. Expensive in dollars andhuman time to figure out that we had a power failure. Typically evenonce we think this is a power outage, we want to independently verify.With a power failure, what we do now is nothing. Wait for it to comeback up.

The inventors have appreciated that we have a backhaul module with UEcapability; RAT-agnostic (2G/3G/4G/LTE/LTE-A/5G/Wi-Fi); including 2Gcapability. 2G has much greater coverage than LTE, especially comparedto our LTE and mesh nodes, but limited throughput and data capability.Therefore, we can send an SMS to a gateway that will eventually get backto our HNG.

Any low-bandwidth data message could use this 2G channel. We could useSMS control channel (PCCH? BCCH? more robust) or GPRS data, depending onwhat is available. A 20-30 mile away macro could handle. Could be aninteractive protocol with ACK, flow control; Alternatively, any RAT ormode of comm's could be used. TVWS, Wi-Fi mesh, 2G (EDGE, GPRS,etc.)/3G/4G/5G, etc. could be used. If a higher-bandwidth link isavailable, we can set up a full IPsec tunnel and send higher-bandwidthdata.

Advantages include: Out of band; Little additional cost, since we have aUE module in our CWS and/or BHM; Greater range, since 2G SMS goes 12 kmto macro. Two main classes of functionality: Monitoring; Provisioning.To implement, SMS gateway has to talk back to the HNG, because HNGprovides bulk of provisioning features.

A virtualizing gateway/management gateway is provided that is organizedin a hierarchical architecture to enable global NOC management. HNGcoordinates the CWS nodes it is responsible for; HNGs can coordinatewith each other in a multiple level hierarchy to manage large numbers ofCWSes. To communicate, the HNG could use a single SMS gateway; unlikelythe SMS GW will be a bottleneck. Or, the HNG could use multiple SMS GWsto reach CWSes on different 2G operator networks.

Security would be the main concern on the use of such an out of bandchannel. You don't want to permit anyone to reboot your device remotelyvia SMS. Therefore, handshake (e.g., CHAP); encryption; multiplemessages to be combined; originating SMS ID; shared secret could beused. Stingray avoidance becomes important as we look at 2G. May requireover-the-top (OTT) security.

Event reporting and general event reporting could be provided, not justfor power failures. Hysteresis to control the reporting window, so thatyou don't over-report and overwhelm the SMS GW.

Monitoring use cases include: Store and forward; Intentionally: for somereason I don't want to send now. Save battery, weak security over 2G.(Discuss stingray avoidance); Unintentionally: send all queued data;Could be useful as IOT gateway; Timing embedded into message we sent sowe can contextualize; Make a report once the connection is later made.

In some embodiments this could enable a closed bubble network. Bubblenetwork: one or more CWS nodes that are connected in a mesh and that donot have a route to the HNG or Internet. Possible with embedded EPC.Report that a bubble is up even if you are not able to connect backhaul.In some cases you might purposely cut a backhaul link and attempt tomaintain connections with all UEs, such as in a Stingray operatingscenario or in a battlefield scenario.

Another use case could be license key monitoring. Heartbeat would beuseful in this case. Heartbeat is not useful for non-bubble (connected)network because you already know it is up. You can report GPS coords, #users, license, etc. Valuable to HQ. Another use case could be tamperdetection, even without ethernet, could be provided. Unplugged cable?Opened case? Another use case could be, base station has been takenoutside of geofence, no GPS available, but we see different PLMNs orPCIs show up? Another use case could be, base station not active becausestill too cold and waiting to warm up; could report temperature.

You may want to have provisioning. Provisioning use cases include: Fixmisconfigurations, to enable comm's with HNG; Provisioning of identitiesof permitted connections, such as in a bubble network; IMSI or SIM orother HSS/HLR information or messaging.

IOT is low-bandwidth data amenable to store and forward, and is a usecase. Could work with bubble networks or could be an overlay/underlaynetwork. Underlay network: use 2G as one more RAT to enable timelydelivery of IOT data during congestion of primary backhaul.

As another alternative, Connect to an unsecured Wi-Fi network via theWi-Fi mesh module, and use that as backhaul. Network operators and cableoperators often operate publicly-available Wi-Fi networks, e.g.,“xfinity.” The Wi-Fi module could be used to create an out-of-bandInternet connection, and any available mechanism to send any pertinentdata could be used. The links could be prioritized. It is desirable toinclude current power source status in the prioritization, for example,battery backup could be used to send data via a 2G UE but it isreasonable to not use Wi-Fi, as building Wi-Fi would be expected to goout in case of a power outage.

SMS can be used for any and all of the following: Generalized two-waycomm's. Two-way protocol. Send, ack. Handshaking security may beenabled. Any new protocol could be implemented on top of legacy SMStechnology using this two-way general comm's channel. Relying on 2G SMSgateway is possible. In some cases, cooperation with operator may not beneeded if we use standard IP SMS gateway.

There are at least 3 deployment scenarios: a CWS base station; anin-vehicle base station; or, a base station plus a separate backhaulmodule or BHM (including 2G UE, 4G UE, Wi-Fi, etc.). Assume BHM hasbattery and CWS does not. Any or all of the above may have batterybackup, but this may have very limited backup time. The OS can detectwhen power loss occurs and knows the level of charge left in thebattery.

Mesh management could be a use case. Power goes out; 10 secs of batteryleft—then we would notify any nodes connected by mesh. Similar toLMLTE/first responder battery fail notification (when power is about togo out at mobile CWS, alert all attached UEs before going down).Different when a CWS goes down which is a gateway, versus a CWS that isa non-gateway node.

When CWS and BHM independent operation is available, the BHM is able tomonitor the CWS. Scenario: CWS goes down or into a loop (hangs); Theconnected BHM can independently recognize this and: Send a hardwarereboot message via AISG or other hardware bus; and Send messages to peerCWS/BHM nodes and/or HNG to inform them that this node is down. This canhard reboot the CWS. At a very low level. Detect whether they areshorted together or not. AISG connector, some voltages X and Y. This isa generalized alarm interface. Can use this to perform hardware resets.Support external AISG devices, such as other devices on the cell tower.Or support other hardware devices and protocols, Factory reset, Selfdestruct (re tamper), etc. Idea is that the high-speed interface betweenCWS and BHM is not used to perform these functions. Because CWS isunresponsive.

In a further embodiment, power event throttling can be enabled. Batterybackup does not last forever. When we have a power event, we canthrottle data use over 2-way SMS comm's, which will save battery. We canprovide fine-grained throttling because we know exactly what the datause is being requested for, e.g., permit only 911/999 (emergency) calls,for example, or only 2G uplink, or only 3G uplink. Out of bandprovisioning can be used to manage this. This is helpful in the “bubblenetwork” scenario, when 2G SMS or GPRS is available. Advantages couldinclude: Extend battery life; Permit low-data rate store and forward.

Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a particular embodiment of asystem 100 useful for out-of-band monitoring and provisioning is shown.System 100 includes a CWS 102 in communication with an HNG 104, which isin communication with a core network 106. Also shown is a BHM 108 incommunication with the CWS 102. The BHM 108 includes a cellular radio110, a Wi-Fi radio 112 and a battery 114.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a wireless base station 200, inaccordance with some embodiments. CWS 200 is an enhanced multi-radioaccess technology (multi-RAT) base station that may include processor202, processor memory 204 in communication with the processor, basebandprocessor 206, and baseband processor memory 208 in communication withthe baseband processor. CWS 200 may also include first radio transceiver210 and second radio transceiver 212, internal universal serial bus(USB) port 216, and subscriber information module card (SIM card) 218coupled to USB port 214. In some embodiments, the second radiotransceiver 212 itself may be coupled to USB port 216, andcommunications from the baseband processor may be passed through USBport 216. A self-organizing network (SON) module 230 may also beincluded, which may include a database (not shown), in some embodiments,or which may be in communication with a coordination server (not shown),in some embodiments, or both, in some embodiments.

Processor 202 and baseband processor 206 are in communication with oneanother. Processor 202 may perform routing functions and may determineif/when a switch in network configuration is needed. Baseband processor206 may generate and receive radio signals for both radio transceivers210 and 212, based on instructions from processor 202. In someembodiments, processors 202 and 206 may be on the same physical logicboard. In other embodiments, they may be on separate logic boards.

The first radio transceiver 210 may be a radio transceiver capable ofproviding LTE eNodeB functionality and may be capable of higher powerand multi-channel OFDMA. The second radio transceiver 212 may be a radiotransceiver capable of providing LTE UE functionality. Both transceivers210 and 212 are capable of receiving and transmitting on one or more LTEbands. In some embodiments, either or both of transceivers 210 and 212may be capable of providing both LTE eNodeB and LTE UE functionality.Transceiver 210 may be coupled to processor 202 via a PeripheralComponent Interconnect-Express (PCI-E) bus, and/or via a daughtercard.As transceiver 212 is for providing LTE UE functionality, in effectemulating a user equipment, it may be connected via the same ordifferent PCI-E bus, or by a USB bus, and may also be coupled to SIMcard 218.

SIM card 218 may provide information required for authenticating thesimulated UE to the evolved packet core (EPC). When no access to anoperator EPC is available, a local EPC on the enhanced eNodeB itself(not shown) may be used, or another local EPC on the network may beused. This information may be stored within the SIM card and may includeone or more of an international mobile equipment identity (IMEI),international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI), or another parameterneeded to identify a UE. Special parameters may also be stored in theSIM card or provided by the processor during processing to identify to atarget eNodeB that device 200 is a CWS.

Wired backhaul or wireless backhaul may be used. Wired backhaul may bean Ethernet-based backhaul (including Gigabit Ethernet), or afiber-optic backhaul connection, or a cable-based backhaul connection,in some embodiments. Additionally, wireless backhaul may be provided inaddition to wireless transceivers 210 and 212, which may be Wi-Fi802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ad/ah, Bluetooth, ZigBee, microwave (includingline-of-sight microwave), or another wireless backhaul connection. Anyof the wired and wireless connections may be used for either access orbackhaul, according to identified network conditions and needs, and maybe under the control of processor 202 for reconfiguration.

Processor 202 may identify the appropriate network configuration, andmay perform routing of packets from one network interface to anotheraccordingly. Processor 202 may use memory 204, in particular to store arouting table to be used for routing packets. Baseband processor 206 mayperform operations to generate the radio frequency signals fortransmission or retransmission by both transceivers 210 and 212.Baseband processor 206 may also perform operations to decode signalsreceived by transceivers 210 and 212. Baseband processor 206 may usememory 208 to perform these tasks.

A problem with a wireless network can occur when power is lost or aconnection fails. In conventional systems, a power fail can bemitigated, at least in part, by use of an Uninterruptible Power Supply(UPS), and notification of the power fail can be sent by Short MessageService (SMS) messaging. This solution become problematic when thesystem scales to a larger number of sites. When a CWS goes down, it canbe difficult to determine whether the cause is a power failure, abackhaul failure, or other type of failure.

The network includes a backhaul module 108 with UE capability. Thebackhaul module may be RAT agnostic. An SMS message can be sent to agateway that will eventually make it to the HNG. This is a low-bandwidthdata message that could use a 2G channel or an SMS control channel orother data, dependent on what is available. Alternatively, any RAT ormode of communication could be used, including an interactive protocolwith acknowledgements (ACK) and flow control. The modes of communicationthat could be used include but are not limited to Television White Space(TVWS), Wi-Fi mesh, 2G (EDGE, GPRS, etc.)/3G/4G/5G, etc. When ahigher-bandwidth link is available, a full IPsec tunnel can be set upand higher-bandwidth data can be sent.

There are several advantages associated with this type ofimplementation. These advantages include that the communications are outof band. Another advantage is that there is little additional cost toimplement, since there is a UE module in the CWS and/or BHM. Yet anotheradvantage is greater range, since 2G SMS can extend to 12 km to macro.

The presently described method and systems can be used for multiplepurposes, including monitoring and provisioning. The SMS gateway isrequired to communicate with the HNG since the HNG provides most of theprovisioning features. The HNG coordinates the CWS nodes it isresponsible for. HNGs can coordinate with each other in a multiple levelhierarchy to manage large numbers of CWSs. A single SMS gateway could beused as it is unlikely the SMS GW will be a bottleneck. Multiple SMS GWscould be used to reach CWSs on different 2G operator networks.

Security can be achieved by use of handshakes (e.g., CHAP), encryption,combining multiple messages, using the originating SMS ID or a sharedsecret. Stingray avoidance may require over-the-top (OTT) security.

The system can be used to provide general event reporting, and is notlimited to reporting only power failures. Hysteresis can be used tocontrol the reporting window, so that an incident is only reported onceduring a predetermined time period so the SMS GW is not overwhelmed.

The system may further be used for monitoring use cases. One example isfor store and forward operations. Store and forward operations may beused for a variety of reasons. One reason is to use this intentionallywherein there is a desire to refrain from sending now. This may beuseful, for example, for saving battery life or if there are concernsregarding weak security over 2G. Another reason is to use thisunintentionally to send all queued data. This could be useful as an IOTgateway or for timing embedded into message that is sent so that themessage can be contextualized. This may also be used to make a reportonce the connection is later made. Another monitoring use case is toenable a closed bubble network, tamper detection and reporting of otherconsiderations.

The system may also be used for provisioning use cases. This wouldinclude fixing misconfigurations to enable communications with the HNG.The system could also provide provisioning of identities of permittedconnections, such as in a bubble network. This could includeInternational Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), or SIM or other HSS/HLRinformation or messaging. There may be some scenarios where a personmight purposely cut a backhaul link and attempt to maintain connectionswith all UEs, such as in a Stingray operating scenario or in abattlefield scenario.

IOT may also be a use case. IOT uses low-bandwidth data and is amenableto store and forward operation. This could also be used with bubblenetworks or could be an overlay/underlay network, wherein 2G is used asone more RAT to enable timely delivery of IOT data during congestion ofprimary backhaul.

There are several alternate uses for the out of band monitoring andprovisioning. This could be used for over the air provisioning. Forexample, if a user had an expired certificate, SMS could be used inorder to set up an out of band channel to transmit the new certificate.The system could also be used for diagnostics, supervisor commands orother alternatives. The system could be used to connect to an unsecuredWi-Fi network via the Wi-Fi mesh module, and use that as backhaul.

The out of band monitoring and provisioning system can be used for meshmanagement. For example, if power goes out and there is a limited amountof battery power left, the system can notify any nodes connected bymesh. This is similar to LMLTE/first responder battery fail notification(when power is about to go out at mobile CWS, alert all attached UEsbefore going down). This is different when a CWS goes down which is agateway, versus a CWS that is a non-gateway node.

The out of band monitoring and provisioning system can be used for CWSand BHM independent operation. For example, if the CWS goes down or intoa loop (hangs), the connected BHM can independently recognize this andsend a hardware reboot message via Antenna Interface Standards Group(AISG) protocol or other hardware bus and send messages to peer CWS/BHMnodes and/or HNG to inform them that this node is down.

The system can also perform a hardware reboot from BHM/remote power downmessage resulting in a hard reboot of the CWS. The system may alsoperform a factory reset or a self-destruct.

The system may additionally be used for power event throttling. This canbe beneficial when there is a power outage and, even though there isbattery backup, the battery will eventually run out. When there is apower event, data use can be throttled, which will save battery power.Fine-grained throttling can be performed because it is known exactlywhat the data use is being requested for. In one example, only 911/999(emergency) calls are permitted, or only 2G uplink, or only 3G uplink.Out of band provisioning can be used to manage this. This is helpful ina bubble network scenario, when 2G SMS or GPRS is available, to extendbattery life and to permit low-data rate store and forward

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a base station management gateway in aLong Term Evolution (LTE) architecture, in accordance with someembodiments. Base station management server 301 provides services to,and is coupled to, eNodeB 1 302 and eNodeB 3 303, on a RAN side of anetwork (i.e., inside of the gateway). Base station management server301 provides services to, and is coupled to, MME 304, macro eNodeB 305,and macro eNodeB 306, on a core network side of the network (outside ofthe gateway). Base station management server 301 corresponds to LAC 110,in some embodiments. Here, base station 303 is shown as communicatingvia an out-of-band channel 399 to RAN module 331 via macro 305.

Within base station management gateway 301 are self-organizing network(SON) module 311, containing neighbor relation table (NRT) 312 and UEmeasurement report processing module 313; evolved packet core (EPC)module 321, containing EPC finite state machine module 322 and macroeNodeB table 323; radio access network (RAN) module 331, containingeNodeB finite state machine module 332 and eNodeB table 334; and userequipment (UE) module 341, containing UE finite state machine module 342and S1/X2 handover mapping table 343. Each of modules 311, 321, 331, and341 are coupled to each other within base station management gateway301, and may execute on one or more shared processors (not shown)coupled with memory (not shown).

In some embodiments, SON module 311 may perform NRT maintenance, loadinformation processing and fractional frequency reuse (FFR) processing;RAN module 331 may perform X2 association management with eNodeBs 302,303; EPC module 321 may perform X2 association management with macroeNodeBs 305, 306; and UE module may perform X2 handover and S1/X2translation between eNodeBs 302, 303 and macro eNodeBs 305, 306. All theabove managers/modules interact with each other to accomplish theassigned functionality.

FIG. 4 depicts a network diagram of an LTE wireless network, inaccordance with some embodiments. The wireless network depicted shows aUE 401 attached to a base station 403, which is intended to be managedand is ordinarily connected to a coordination server 403. Also attachedis another UE 402, attached to a base station 404, also connected to thecoordination server 405. Base stations 403 and 404 are eNodeBs. The UEsare ordinary UEs. The coordination server 405 acts as a gateway betweenbase stations 403 and 404 and any core network, such as core network407. Coordination server 405 is also connected to a configuration server406, in certain embodiments. The coordination server 405 is avirtualizing gateway (VG) as described herein, and virtualizes basestations 403, 404 from the core network. For example, VG 405 isconfigured to act as a back-to-back user agent to virtualize signalingbetween the eNodeB and the core network.

Each network has an SMS gateway, enabling SMSes to be sent into and outof each network. SMS-GW-1 412 provides SMS service to network 407.SMS-GW-2 412 provides SMS service to network 414. SMS-GW-3 416 isanother SMS gateway out on the public Internet for another network, notshown.

VG 405 may be in communication with more than one core network. Asshown, VG 405 is in communication with core network 407 and with corenetwork 408. Either or both of the eNodeBs 403, 404 may be shared by oneor both of core network 407 and 408. For example, base station 403 maybe used exclusively by core network 407, in which case base station 403may be represented by VG 405 as a virtual eNodeB to mobility managemententity (MME) 411, serving gateway (SGW) 413, packet data network gateway(PGW) 415, and through PGW 415, operator 4 packet data network 417,together comprising certain components of core network 407. Base station403 may also be shared by both of core networks 407 and 408, in whichcase core networks 407 and 408 see different, virtualized eNodeBs, andanother virtualized eNodeB may be used by VG 405 to represent basestation 403 to core network 408, including MME-2 412, SGW-2 414, PGW-2416, and operator 2 network 418. Typically, packet data networks 417 and418 of the different operators are connected via the public Internet409. Similarly, base station 404 may be virtualized by VG 405 to corenetworks 407, 408, or both.

In operation, base station 403 needs to communicate with VG 405, but itis unable to do so or has otherwise determined that an out-of-bandconnection is suitable, as there is no connection directly between basestation 403 and VG 405. Base station 403 has a UE module that allows itto attach to macro 404, and base station 403 thereby creates a dataconnection via base station 404, SMS-GW-2 414, operator 2 network 418,Internet 409, operator 1 network 417, and PGW 415.

Flow charts of particular embodiments of the presently disclosed methodsare depicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The rectangular elements are hereindenoted “processing blocks” and represent computer software instructionsor groups of instructions. Alternatively, the processing blocksrepresent steps performed by functionally equivalent circuits such as adigital signal processor circuit or an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC). The flow diagrams do not depict the syntax of anyparticular programming language or hardware implementation. Rather, theflow diagrams illustrate the functional information one of ordinaryskill in the art requires to fabricate circuits or to generate computersoftware to perform the processing required in accordance with thepresent invention. It should be noted that many routine programelements, such as initialization of loops and variables and the use oftemporary variables are not shown. It will be appreciated by those ofordinary skill in the art that unless otherwise indicated herein, theparticular sequence of steps described is illustrative only and can bevaried without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus, unlessotherwise stated the steps described below are unordered meaning that,when possible, the steps can be performed in any convenient or desirableorder.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, an example embodiment of a method 500for performing out-of-band provisioning is shown. Method 500 begins withprocessing block 502 which discloses determining, in a wireless systemincluding a Converged Wireless System (CWS) in communication with aHetNet Gateway (HNG), a BackHaul Module (BHM) and a Small Message System(SMS) server, an occurrence of an event regarding a communicationproblem between the CWS and the HNG. As shown in processing block 504,in one embodiment the event comprises at least one of a power outcondition related to the CWS or a lost connection between the CWS andthe HNG.

Processing block 506 states sending, by the BHM, an out of band messageregarding the occurrence of the event to the HNG. Processing block 508recites the out of band message comprises an SMS message sent to the HNGby the BHM. Processing block 510 discloses the out of band message issent using one of Television White Space (TVWS), Wi-Fi mesh, 2G, 5G, 4G,5G. Processing block 512 shows the out of band message is sent to theHNG using security. Processing block 514 recites the out of band messageis sent using an Internet Protocol (IP) sec tunnel.

Processing continues with processing block 516 which discloses using, bythe BHM, a hysteresis reporting window wherein the out of band messageis only sent once every predetermined time period.

Processing block 518 states in response to the occurrence of the event,storing data and forwarding the data at a later time. As shown inprocessing block 520, the data is data from an Internet of Things (IoT)device.

There are several actions which may be taken in response to theoccurrence of the event. Processing block 522 recites in response to theoccurrence of the event, enabling a closed bubble network. Processingblock 524 discloses in response to the occurrence of the event,performing tamper detection. Processing block 526 states, in response tothe occurrence of the event, reporting considerations regarding reasonsthe CWS may be inactive. Processing block 528 recites, in response tothe occurrence of the event, diagnosing and fixing misconfigurations.Processing block 530 discloses, in response to the occurrence of theevent, performing provisioning of identities of permitted connections.

The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplaryembodiments of the present invention. As will be understood by thoseskilled in the art, the present invention may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from the spirit or essentialcharacteristics thereof. Various components in the devices describedherein may be added, removed, or substituted with those having the sameor similar functionality. Various steps as described in the figures andspecification may be added or removed from the processes describedherein, and the steps described may be performed in an alternativeorder, consistent with the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, thedisclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, butnot limiting of the scope of the invention, as well as other claims. Thedisclosure, including any readily discernible variants of the teachingsherein, defines, in part, the scope of the foregoing claim terminology.

It is understood that any specific order or hierarchy of steps in theprocesses disclosed is an illustration of example approaches. Based upondesign preferences, it is understood that the specific order orhierarchy of steps in the processes may be rearranged, or that allillustrated steps be performed. Some of the steps may be performedsimultaneously. For example, in certain circumstances, multitasking andparallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation ofvarious system components illustrated above should not be understood asrequiring such separation, and it should be understood that thedescribed program components and system can generally be integratedtogether in a single software product or packaged into multiple softwareproducts.

The above-described features and applications can be implemented assoftware processes that are specified as a set of instructions recordedon a computer-readable storage medium (also referred to as computerreadable medium). When these instructions are executed by one or moreprocessing unit(s) (e.g. one or more processors, cores of processors, orother processing units), they cause the processing unit(s) to performthe actions indicated in the instructions. Examples of computer readablemedia include, but are not limited to, CD-ROMs, flash drives, harddrives, RAM chips, EPROMs, etc. The computer-readable media does notinclude carrier waves and electronic signals passing wirelessly or wiredconnections.

In the specification, the term “software” is meant to include firmwareresiding in read-only memory or applications stored in magnetic storageor flash storage, for example, a solid-state drive, which can be readinto memory for processing by a processor. Also, in someimplementations, multiple software technologies can be implemented assub-parts of a larger program while remaining distinct softwaretechnologies. In some implementations, multiple software technologiescan also be implemented as separate programs. Finally, any combinationof separate programs that together implement a software technologydescribed here is within the scope of the subject technology. In someimplementations, the software programs, when installed to operate on oneor more electronics systems, define one or more specific machineimplementations that execute and perform the operations of the softwareprograms.

A computer program (also known as program, software, softwareapplication, script, or code) can be written in any form of programminglanguage, including compiled or interpreted languages, declarative orprocedural languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as astandalone program or as a module, component, subroutine, object, oranother unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computerprogram may, but need not correspond to a file in a file system. Aprogram can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programsor data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup languagedocument), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or inmultiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules,sub-programs, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployedto be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are locatedat one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by acommunication network.

These functions described above can be implemented in digital electroniccircuitry, in computer software, hardware, or firmware. The techniquescan be implemented using one or more computer program products.Programmable processors and computers can be included in or packaged asmobile devices. The process and logic flows can be performed by one ormore programmable processors and by one or more programmable logiccircuitry. General and special purpose computing devices and storagedevices can be interconnected through communication networks.

Some implementations include electronic components, for examplemicroprocessors, storage and memory that store computer programinstructions in a machine-readable or computer-readable medium(alternatively referred to as computer-readable storage media,machine-readable media, or machine-readable storage media). Someexamples of such computer-readable media include RAM, ROM, read-onlycompact discs (CD-ROM), readable compact discs (CD-R), rewritablecompact discs (CD-RW), read-only digital versatile discs (e.g., DVD-ROM,dual-layer DVD-ROM), a variety of recordable/rewritable DVDs (e.g.DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, etc.), flash memory (e.g., SD cards, mini-SDcards, micro-SD cards, etc.), magnetic or solid-state hard drives,read-only and recordable Blu-Ray® discs, ultra-density optical discs,any other optical or magnetic media, and floppy disks. Thecomputer-readable media can store a computer program that is executed byat least one processing unit and includes sets of instructions forperforming various operations. Examples of computer programs or computercode include machine code, for example is produced by a compiler, andfiles including higher-level code that are executed by a computer, anelectronic component, or a microprocessor using an interpreter.

While the above discussion primarily refers to microprocessor ormulti-core processors that execute software, some implementations areperformed by one or more integrated circuits, for example applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field programmable gate arrays(FPGAs). In some implementations, such integrated circuits executeinstructions that are stored in the circuit itself.

As used in this specification and any claims of this application, theterms “computer”, “server”, “processor”, and “memory” all refer toelectronic or other technological devices. These terms exclude people orgroups of people. For the purpose of the specification, the termsdisplay or displaying means displaying on an electronic device. As usedin this specification and any claims of this application, the terms“computer-readable media” and “computer readable medium” are entirelyrestricted to tangible, physical objects that store information in aform that is readable by a computer. These terms exclude any wireless,wired download signals, and any other ephemeral signals.

To provide for interaction with a user, implementations of the subjectmatter described in this specification can be implemented on a computerhaving a display device, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquidcrystal display) monitor, or any other available monitor types, fordisplaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device,e.g., mouse or trackball, by which the user can provide input to thecomputer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interactionwith a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can beany form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual feedback, tactile feedback,or auditory feedback; and input from the user can be received in anyform, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input. In addition, acomputer can interact with a user by sending documents to and receivingdocuments from a device that is used by the user; for example, bysending web pages to a web browser on a user's client device in responseto requests received from the web browser.

The subject matter described in this specification can be implemented ina computing system that includes a back-end component, e.g., as a dataserver, or that includes a middleware component, e.g., an applicationserver, or that includes a front-end component, e.g., a client computerhaving a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a usercan interact with an implementation of the subject matter described inthis specification, or any combination of one or more such back-end,middleware, or front-end components. The components of the system can beinterconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication,e.g., a communication network. Examples of communication network includea local area network (“LAN”), an inter-network (e.g., the Internet), andpeer-to-peer networks (e.g., ad-hoc peer-to-peer networks).

The subject matter described in this specification can be implementedusing client-side applications, web pages, mobile web pages, or othersoftware as generally known in the art and that would be usable toend-user customers (for community self-managed RAN apps) and/or mobileoperator end users. The subject matter could alternately be delivered orimplemented using an API, such as a SOAP API, a JSON API, a RESTful API,in lieu of or in conjunction with a direct end-user interface. Thesubject matter could use messaging queues, webhooks, server-sidecontainers, or any other technology known in the art.

The computing system can include clients and servers. A client andserver are generally remote from each other and typically interactthrough a communication network. The relationship of client and serverarises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client-server relationship to each other. In someaspects of the disclosed subject matter, a server transmits data (e.g.,an HTML page) to a client device (e.g., for purpose of displaying datato and receiving user input from a user interacting with the clientdevice). Data generated at the client device (e.g., a result of the userinteraction) can be received from the client device at the server.

Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent, and thegeneric principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus,the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein,but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the languageclaims, where reference to an element in singular is not intended tomean “one and only one” unless specifically so states, but rather “oneor more.” Unless expressly stated otherwise, the term “some” refers toone or more. Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminineand neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. Headings andsubheadings, if any, are used for convenience only, and do not limit thesubject technology.

A phrase, for example, an “aspect” does not imply that the aspect isessential to the subject technology or that the aspect applies to allconfigurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to anaspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. Aphrase, for example, an aspect may refer to one or more aspects and viceversa. A phrase, for example, a “configuration” does not imply that suchconfiguration is essential to the subject technology or that suchconfiguration applies to all configurations of the subject technology. Adisclosure relating to a configuration may apply to all configurationsor one or more configurations. A phrase, for example, a configurationmay refer to one or more configurations and vice versa.

The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplaryembodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, softwarethat, when executed, causes a device to perform the methods describedherein may be stored on a computer-readable medium such as a computermemory storage device, a hard disk, a flash drive, an optical disc, orthe like. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the presentinvention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing fromthe spirit or essential characteristics thereof. For example, wirelessnetwork topology can also apply to wired networks, optical networks, andthe like. The methods may apply to LTE-compatible networks, toUMTS-compatible networks, or to networks for additional protocols thatutilize radio frequency data transmission. Various components in thedevices described herein may be added, removed, or substituted withthose having the same or similar functionality. Various steps asdescribed in the figures and specification may be added or removed fromthe processes described herein, and the steps described may be performedin an alternative order, consistent with the spirit of the invention.Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to beillustrative of, but not limiting of, the scope of the invention, whichis specified in the following claims.

1. A method, comprising: determining, at a base station in a cellularaccess network, the base station configured to use a coordination serverand to a first core network for providing network access to userequipments (UEs), an occurrence of an event regarding a communicationproblem related to the base station; sending an out-of-band message, viaan embedded UE module coupled to the base station attached to a secondcore network, to the coordination server, based on the occurrence of theevent at the base station; updating, at the coordination server, astored status for the base station, thereby enabling a status of thebase station to be updated at the coordination server via an out-of-bandmessage.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the event comprises at leastone of a power out condition or an interruption of a backhaul connectionbetween the base station and the coordination server.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the out-of-band message comprises a Short MessageService (SMS) message and the out-of-band message is sent via an SMSgateway in the second core network.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereinthe embedded UE module is part of the base station or part of a backhauldevice electrically coupled to the base station.
 5. The method of claim1, wherein the base station is an LTE or 5G base station and theout-of-band message is a 2G short message service (SMS) message.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, further comprising performing, between the basestation and the coordination server, a secure handshake process viaout-of-band messages.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising usinga hysteresis reporting window wherein the out-of-band message is onlysent once every predetermined time period.
 8. The method of claim 1,further comprising using a Wi-Fi network to send the out-of-bandmessage.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising retransmitting,via out-of-band messages, data from an Internet of Things (IoT) device.10. The method of claim 1, further comprising, in response to theoccurrence of the event, instructing, via a second out-of-band message,the base station to enable a closed bubble network with a configurationpreviously stored at the base station.
 11. The method of claim 1,further comprising sending out-of-band messages to the coordinationserver indicating at least one of: tampering to the base station;software license noncompliance at the base station; loss of connectivityof other base stations coupled to the base station in a mesh network;sending a periodic heartbeat message to the coordination server.
 12. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising, in response to the occurrence ofthe event, reporting considerations regarding reasons the base stationmay be inactive.
 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising, inresponse to the occurrence of the event, diagnosing and fixingmisconfigurations.
 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising, inresponse to the occurrence of the event, performing provisioning ofidentities of permitted connections.
 15. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium having computer-readable code thereonfor facilitating out-of-band monitoring and provisioning, the mediumincluding instructions executable by one or more processors to performoperations, the operations comprising: determining, at a base station ina cellular access network, the base station configured to use acoordination server and to a first core network for providing networkaccess to user equipments (UEs), an occurrence of an event regarding acommunication problem related to the base station; sending anout-of-band message, via an embedded UE module coupled to the basestation attached to a second core network, to the coordination server,based on the occurrence of the event at the base station; updating, atthe coordination server, a stored status for the base station, theinstructions thereby enabling a status of the base station to be updatedat the coordination server via an out-of-band message.
 16. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein theevent comprises at least one of a power out condition related to thebase station or a lost connection between the base station and anotherdevice.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim18, the medium including instructions for performing operations whereinthe out-of-band message comprises a Short Message Service (SMS) message.